Crawford avalanche., 1887-04-14
scHwAarz-wArT.
Progress Of the Trial of the Rock
Is,and Train Robbers at Nor
ris, Ill.
Strong Testimony Against the Ac-
cused-A Sermon Causes n
Sensation.
TMoRnIs tnL.J coRREsPoNDENcE. !

The trial OF Schwartz and Watt on the charge
OF having murdered Kellogg Nichols, the ex-
press messenger On the Hock Island railroad,
IN March, 1885, has been ia progress here two
wooks, and will in all probability not DO con-
cluded for ut least another week. The testi-
mony SO far adduced, though mainly circum-
stanta', taken as u whole, makes up rather
strong case against the two accused brakemen.
Carl Woods, engineer OF the train upon which
Nichols was murdered, described the blood
stains in the cur in which Kellogg Nichols
was killed, and gave evidence which
indicated that Nichols mado a desperate
oflorS TO reach and set the air-brakes.
Witness gave u detailed account Of the appear
ance OF the cars, how thoy we're loaded, how the
doorE were fastened. and other particulars cal
culated TO give the jury accurate knowledge
drawn out that it was not until some time aYter
IL was decided TO take the two cars ON with the
train that Watt said -Set them out; I'm d-d
II want to ride In them." Schwartz was asked
II no would run the baggage, and replied that
lie was not afraid, and would do 80. Witness
gave some testimony to show that there could
have been no man on the top OF Watts car COW
ering him with u revolver thrust through the
transom. Conductor Wagner testified that the
iron poker with blood upon it, with which the
mesa e1ger was evidently beaten to death, was
found hanging behind the stove In its accustom-
cd place This circumstance is regarded as al
most positive proof that the murder was COM
mitted by train man. as no one uneccustomed
TO tho car would over think OF hanging up the
poker in It's proper place again after the perpe-
tration OF tho decd.
Napoleon Briggs, who was fireman ON Engi-
ments and actions after the crime, and his dis
inclination to talk about the matter. Conduc-
tor Danforth gave sii1ilar testimony to Briggs,
and also told about finding the tell-tale sachel
in the car closet on the return trip from Daven-
port He asked Schwartz what he thought
about tho murder, and who committed it, 10
that Schwartz threw out his hands and said I:
colonel, dent know anything about it," He
did not want to talk about the matter. Witness
looked IN the ladies' cor closet after leaving
Marseilles and there was nothing in IL. At Sem
tho next station flVO mii0a N yvitnaaa w
Schwartz carrying n sachel. After leaving
Seneca witness opened the closet door and
found obstructing the door q sachel, new and of
cheap description, and partially torn up Part
of the sachel corner-piece was stuck fast In the
closet aperture. Witness called Schwartz and
both picked up the pieces. Among them
witness found a piece OF torn vouch-
er, and remarked that it might have
some connection with the robbery. The
piece OF voucher was shown to witnoss by
Mr.. Carter, and was fully identified and put in
evidence. 1t was passed over to the Jury and
examined with great interest. The debris Of
the sachel was also produced, Identified by wit
ness put in evidence, and examined by the
jury. Several other train employees were pla ced
on tho stand, but their evidence was not of
strengthening the testimony OF those who had
preceded them.
On Sunday last q somewhat sensational event
in connection with this now celebrated trial oc-
CURED. Saturday afternoon court was ad-
journed with strict injunction by Judge De-
bell to the jurors that thoy should not talk over
Lno evidence IN tine case among themselves,
allow any one to refer to tho case in their hear
ing. lie said they must allow nothing what
ever to influence their minds, but should keep
them strictly in such state that they could Give
to each portion of the evidence as it might be
the just and fair weight due il. Then
he asked IL counsel would have any objections
to tho jury attending church in charge OF OFF,
GERS. Counsel for both sides assented to this
readily, little imagining what would result.
A little before church time word was sent to
the Rev NJ A. Phillips, pastor OF the Methodist
church TINT the iurV WOnlI affanh nj
tuary. and accordingly three soats were re-
served in the central portion Of the church for
its accommodations. IL was a more than ordi-
nary service at the church by reason OF the
presence OF the Rov. DR. N A. Axtell, the pre-
siding elder OF tho Joliet district OF the kock
River conference within the bounds OF which
Morris is situated Dr. Axtell preached on tho
strength of power and the important part which
little things play in its composition.
Then, speaking of the practical pursuits of
life, he said that success and reputation in
them depended not ON some one great and
brilliant achieS Sement, or the poss esson of ex-
powers or ability which command
oil instant admiration but on a careful, pains
taking, and industrious utilization of little
8 Jurcos of strength, as thoy might be termed,
He went ON to emphasize tho important part
often played by little things in the securing of
groat results, and referred TO the fact that
had many times been convicted and
brought to their just punishment by circum.
stantial evidence OF itself OF the most trivial
nature, but which. when combined with othor
Nidenee seemingly equally unimportant, re-
vcaied guilt beyond doubt He gave an illus
tration by telling how q man had committed
q crime in California, escaped suspicion
for time, and finally went to India.
Among articles gathered up at the scene OF the
crime which it was thought might furnish
ONE clew to the perpetrator was envelope
draft or paper of like description.
The corner had been torn off as IL by the teeth.
ears n.terward there was found in the vest
pocket OF the man in India little piece OF
paper which fitted exactly to the torn part Of
the envelope, and the man by that evidence
I,ror1 ,laf to- rfalo nd srr.sIk
Dr. Axtell told tho story with great vividness. |
md when telling how the ragged edges fitted |
exactly together held up his hands with tho fin
nus far introduced in the trial is the finding of
torn corner Of u bank voucher in the car closet |
II the train on which Schwartz returned to Chi. |
,ago from Davenport, which little piece fitted |
exactly TO n torn voucher found in the contents |
II the robbed safe. The almost exact identity |
II DIR. Axtells illustration with this was very |
lpparent and, taken with his powerful presen- |
ation of the Importance OF circumstantial evil |
lence, stack many as most remarkable utter |
lnces TO bo made before the jury.
The sermon has been the talk of the town for |
he past three days. The counsel for the de-
ense held n brief consultation on the subject |
ust before court opened Monday. Whether TO
all the attention OF the court formally to the /
natter, and demand that the trial be stopped at |
nee and the jury discharged, was one OF the |
propositions seriously discussed 1t was finally
bout it and to let the trial proceed, as, in case
verdict Of guilty should be returned, the de-
ense could mike uso, in a way likely to be
nectual, Of the fact in an attelnpt to secure a
lew trial or obtain a reversal by the Supreme
,Ourt Judge Debell was not disposed to talk
much about the propriety Of the jury having
Istened TO such a sermon, or the serious con-
equences or complications in the trial likely to
osult, but did say that the matter was deplor-
bio and most unfortunate.
Miss Emma Lewis testified that before the
murder Schwartz and his wife were living in
oor circumstances in Chicago and that Mrs. |
chwartz's clothing was extremely shabby.
.ftor Nichols death both his and her wearing
pparel became suddenly bettor. Mrs. Schwartz
Don had three or four new dresses of silk and
ice. Witness visited the Schwartzes two or
Iree times week. After the robbery they
OF n new Brussels carpet and finely up
olstered furniture, lace curtains, folding-bed, |
nd oasy chairs, and silver knives, forks and
poons Miss Lewis confessed to indulging in q
it OF eavesdropping Mt Schwartzs house. be-
yeen him and Watt. Tho twain went
ito tho kitchen, closing the door after
lem. Placing her ear TO the keyhole she
the following conversation Schwartz
hid to Watt: Newt you seem to be wanting to
love all the suspicion on me-" Watt replied, |
Well, you arc safo, your father is rich, you
,uld easily account for your money" Schwartz
lid -WelI, why didn't you give me two fifties
lstesd of n hundrod2" Watt said it was dark |
here he got them, and he took the first ones he |
lme to. Witness heard Mrs. Sohwartz coming
ack at this point and did not dare listen longer. |
IT is supposed that one reason why